Search Room
Accessing the extensive holdings of the National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP) is primarily facilitated through online platforms, providing convenient access to a wealth of resources from your home or office. However, for materials that have not yet been digitised and released on the Air Photo Finder, a dedicated Search Room is also available to researchers. This allows for access to materials that may not be available online, subject to the condition and type of materials in the collection.
Please note that appointments are always required.
How it works
NCAP strives to ensure public access to its collections through online platforms and resources, encouraging users to utilise these whenever possible. For those unfamiliar with accessing historical aerial photographs, several How-To Guides are available to assist you.
Available collections material
As a significant public record, the information within NCAP's imagery is accessible to all. A digitisation initiative is underway to ensure the release of imagery for universal access. Once images have been digitised and made available via the Air Photo Finder, the corresponding physical prints are no longer provided in the Search Room.
Film-based collections are often sizable and challenging to handle without specialised equipment. Additionally, given the age of this material, many films are starting to decay, making them difficult to work with safely and comfortably. Our active digitisation programme aims to preserve the valuable information these films contain. Consequently, physical access to historic films is unavailable.
Make a booking
To ensure workstation availability and assistance from NCAP staff, appointments are necessary. If collection material is required during your visit, additional time is needed for its preparation. Following your booking, you should receive either a confirmation email or suggested alternative dates within two working days.
At the time of booking a visit to the Search Room, you must provide a list of the images you wish to consult. You can download the following documents to identify the print boxes or microfilm reels that contain your images.
- For imagery of Scotland, download the NCAP Barcode List to identify the print boxes you wish to order.
Get Scottish Barcode Excel Spreadsheet
- For imagery of Europe, download the NCAP Microfilm List to identify the microfilm reels you wish to order.
Get European Microfilm Excel Spreadsheet
Once you have identified the print boxes or microfilm reels you wish to order, download the Record Request Form, complete it and return by email to ncap@hes.scot (link opens a new e-mail message).
Get Record Request Form Word Document
Unfortunately, Search Room visitors are unable to make copies or take photographs. However, low-resolution research copies can be ordered through the Image Order Form.
Request a Search Room visit through the Search Room Booking Form.
Search Room Opening Hours | |
---|---|
Monday | Closed |
Tuesday | 10.00 - 15.00 |
Wednesday | 10.00 - 15.00 |
Thursday | 10.00 - 15.00 |
Friday | 10.00 - 15.00 |
Saturday | Closed |
Sunday | Closed |
Scottish Public Holidays | Closed |
Please note that appointments are always required.
Related reading
IN THIS SECTION
Scan on Demand Services
Order images from the NCAP Collection which have not yet been digitised and made available on the Air Photo Finder.
Image Sales and Licensing Use
When using images from the NCAP Collection you will need to know the intended use in order to purchase an appropriate licence.
Subject Specialist Consultancy
NCAP employs specialists in imagery analysis, data management, and collections care. Specialist support consultancy is offered in a variety of areas.
Research Copies
For images that are not yet digitised, purchases can be made with confidence by requesting a lower-resolution copy of an image before you place a Scan on Demand order.
Paid Image Searches
If you are not familiar with navigating non-digitised collections or if you are short on time, NCAP provides a convenient solution.